The legendary Ashes battle between Australia and England is set to commence on Friday, November 21st, with the first Test taking place at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Australia enters the series as the favored side, aiming to assert dominance from the outset against their fiercest rivals.
In a significant shift, Steve Smith will captain Australia for the opening Test, deputizing for the injured Pat Cummins. The bowling unit also faces disruption with the absence of Josh Hazlewood, a rare occurrence for a home Test. The Australian team is expected to hand a debut to Brendan Doggett and looks to Jake Weatherald to stabilize their top order. The return of Cameron Green is a welcome boost, adding depth and balance to the Australian side.
England, under the leadership of Ben Stokes, is determined to overcome their historical struggles in Australia. They are yet to win a Test match on Australian soil since the 2010-11 Ashes series, enduring a difficult run of results. The return of star pacers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood to play together offers a glimmer of hope for the visitors.
Indian viewers can catch all the Ashes 2025-26 action live through Star Sports Network. The digital platform for live streaming will be JioHotstar. The first Test begins on November 21st at 7:50 am IST, promising an exciting start to the series.